Tag: V Festival

The Charlatans and Just Jack are set to mentor the finalists of Road to V – the UK’s biggest and longest running search for unsigned musical talent. With a history of V Festival performances to their name, now on their tenth studio album and famous for a string of hits including indie classics such as “The Only One I Know” and “Weirdo” …

The Charlatans and Just Jack are set to mentor the finalists of Road to V – the UK’s biggest and longest running search for unsigned musical talent.

With a history of V Festival performances to their name, now on their tenth studio album and famous for a string of hits including indie classics such as “The Only One I Know” and “Weirdo”, The Charlatans will be mentoring the ten finalists of the competition, before two winners are eventually decided by a public vote.

The recruitment of Just Jack and The Charlatans as mentors marks a first for Virgin Media, which has refreshed the format of Road to V for 2009, offering entrants the chance to be nurtured by established musicians for the very first time.

The Foo Fighters founder and frontman Dave Grohl is looking good and his passion and stage presence during their set at Live Earth was infectious. Passion wouldn’t be a word that I would use for some of the other acts that took to the stage before the Foo Fighters.

Technical difficulties were an issue. Bands were having problems with their sound on stage all day. Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell couldn’t hear anything through the monitors and when the Red Hot Chili Peppers played I thought we might get through a set without the sound drama. They sounded great and Flea was on fire, but after playing a couple songs, the Chili Peppers stopped to have what appeared to be a ‘band meeting’ on stage – at Live Earth in front of millions of people. At one point I could hear Anthony Kiedis say something about not being able to hear. I think after that they only had one more song to go.

Now I, as a singer, can understand sound problems on stage. I love to have a good mix in the monitors with some reverb coming back at me. But you know what? If I was playing only three songs with my band at Wembley Stadium – in front of millions (some say 2 billion) of people I think even I could handle not being able to hear and just play on like everything is okay. Especially since most acts only played two or three songs. As a viewer, I don’t want the distraction of stage problems and complaining while trying to enjoy a band and their music, well then again…these things do tend to make good ‘car crash TV’.

I’m sure the bands didn’t want to upstage their set by complaining about the sound and even though bands should know better, the first thing the stage manager or event director should have told them before they went out on stage, was “don’t mention the sound”.

The reason I’m even bringing this up is because knowing that there were sound problems all day at the new Wembley Stadium, it was brilliant to see Dave Grohl just get on with things, with the passion and the attitude that all rock fans love to see – and he played like his life depended on it. The band sounded great, they were having fun and if Dave Grohl had any problems hearing there were no signs or nasty expressions coming from him. Drummer Taylor Hawkins also put on an incredible performance. Excellent set by the Foo Fighters.

Guillemots have made an impressive debut here in England since forming in 2004. Band members are Fyfe Dangerfield, Greig Stewart, MC Lord Magrao, and Aristazabal Hawkes and their first album, Through the Window Pane includes gems of songs like “Trains To Brazil”, “We’re Here”, “Made-Up Lovesong #43” and “Annie, Let’s Not Wait”.

It’s all been quite the whirlwind for Guillemots the last couple of years as they’ve been keeping busy with tours, festivals, radio interviews and UK TV appearances including Friday Night With Jonathan Ross and Top of the Pops.

Their debut album Through the Windowpane was nominated for the 2006 Mercury Music Prize and the band was nominated for best British Live Act for the 2007 Brit Awards. Not only that, but they have a dedicated fan base that as far as they’re concerned, Guillemots can do no wrong.

Just back from touring in Europe, Scottish drummer Greig Stewart is one of the most unique and versatile drummers in music today. The times that I’ve watched him, his presence on stage was amazing and he is the kind of drummer that you “can’t take your eyes off of” when he’s playing.

Greig has been kind enough to answer a few questions that I wanted to ask him for readers of BandWeblogs.com.

Oddly enough, you’ve been using Spandau Ballet’s old drum kit. How did that happen?

Well it’s either Spandau Ballet’s or Rod Morgenstein? Basically went into Andy’s Drum Center to buy a snare drum. The kit because of its unusual colour, shouted at me (its duck egg blue). I was told it was custom built for either of the above. Looks and sounds great.

Are you currently using it for live shows and in the studio?

Using the Premier for live at present. Am going to experiment for the new record. Haven’t used the Ludwig for a while.

When you’re not on tour do you practice regularly?

Should do more really. I tend to record onto my computer with new beats. But am now looking to find a teacher to push me more. The usual thing with drums noise is a bit of a problem.

What are your usual practice techniques and what do you use for practice?

Playing along with a metronome is important for me. Rudiments, sticking techniques. Some books on drumming. I’ve got drum practice pads, though find it quite difficult getting along with it as they don’t produce much sound.

Who has influenced you the most in music?

All my friends at school were mad into music (playing and listening). That’s where I heard and got into so much music.

What have Guillemots been up to lately? I know you were on tour in the UK and Europe recently, and have a few upcoming shows in the UK, but will you be recording again soon? Also, any upcoming TV or radio appearances that we should know about?

That’s it really for ‘Through the Window Pane’ record as far as touring. We are doing a few festivals this summer. But the main focus is writing/recording the new record in our new studio.

What is the new studio like?

The studio is based in the East End of London. It’s an old synagogue which has a really high roof and lots of different size rooms. Great space for recording and just hanging out.

Guillemots had a small tour across the US and Canada in 2006, including the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. Do you have plans to tour the US again anytime soon?

Next year or maybe later this year. We have changed record company recently which made things complicated.

What is a typical day like for you when you’re on tour? From when you wake up to when you go to sleep?

I try and get into some kind of routine. For me; get up about 10, 11ish. Make porridge and cup of tea. Shower. The next thing depends on promotional things. If none, I go for a walk for a few hours. Then late lunch round 3’4 ish. Best not eat too late before the gig. Relax and start getting ready for the gig. Warm ups, practice on pad with sticks. After, I’ll go for a shower and watch a film on the bus. Not really rock and roll. If we have a day off the next day, I’ll partyyyy ooonn!!

What is your favorite song to play from Guillemots repertoire?

The new songs are fun to play “Big Dog”, “Standing on the Last Star”.

Who comes up with all of the ideas for what you wear on stage?

Everybody really. Mc usually though.

So far, where have you enjoyed playing the most? (country/venue) Why?

I enjoyed Barcelona. Love the city/food/people. Walk along the beach then had a seafood lunch. (Thing with Guillemots is often food orientated). The gig was cool with a great atmosphere and then the venue turns into a massive club till late. Sore heads all around.

Did you contribute to the artwork on the ‘Through The Windowpane’ album?

The whole band had drawings/paintings on the album. One of my paintings got on the inner sleeve.

How often do you paint and/or draw? What do you draw?

Got a sketch book which I take on tour. Don’t do enough paintings though. The band did a painting each for charity recently. I tend to draw what just comes out, faces, cartoons, weird objects and usually drivel.

If you were to buy an open minded music lover a new CD as a gift, what artist or band would you want to turn them on to?

Guillemots will be performing at the 2007 V Festival on the Channel 4 Stage. Also set to play the Channel 4 Stage are The Kooks, Manic Street Preachers, Lily Allen and Mika. The V festival takes place at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire, England on August 18th and 19th.